Yobe State asks military, security to incorporate vigilantes, hunters into war against Boko Haram

Yobe State has called on the military and security agencies to incorporate hunters and vigilantes into their war strategies against Boko Haram.

This was part of recommendations that came out of Expanded Security Meeting convened by Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai-Mala Buni to discuss the security situation of the state after weekend’s attack by Boko Haram on Geidam.

A communique signed by the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Mai-Mala Buni, Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam (retd) after the meeting on Tuesday, chaired by the governor and had in attendance cross-section of stakeholders, including senior government functionaries from the executive and legislative branches, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, and representatives from the army, police, civil defence, and the Department of State Services, among others, said it had become important to welcome the hunters and vigilantes into the ongoing war against insurgents in the state.

They also agreed that the military and other security agencies should work to protect Geidam town and environs to enable the people who have fled their homes to return and live in peace; and that the security agencies should liaise more closely and engage actively with community leaders and people in the community generally to ensure synergy and intelligence sharing that would be useful in preventing attacks.

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They asked the police to quickly re-establish their presence as a symbol of authority in Gaidam and that traditional leaders should also be actively engaged in the effort to restore public confidence, peace, and security; and that people in Geidam and surrounding areas – but also in other parts of the state – should report any suspicious objects and avoid handling any unexploded improvised explosive devices that could have been left by the Boko Haram terrorists.

While the Yobe State Government was said to be deeply appreciative of the effort of security agencies in the state in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency, it urged them to continue to do more to protect people’s lives and property: and appealed to people across the state to intensify prayers during this Holy Month of Ramadan for Almighty Allah’s intervention against any and all criminals and terrorists who threaten the security of the people of the state.

The governor, had in his opening remarks, condemned the Boko Haram attack on Geidam and extended his condolences and sympathies and those of the Yobe State Government to the people.

He reiterated that nothing was more important to him than ensuring the safety and security of the people of Geidam and other parts of the state, and assured them that he would use every tool and resource at his disposal and work with all relevant security agencies and the affected communities to ensure that Boko Haram attacks do not happen in the state again.